Parliamentary questions

Office of Government Procurement

Robert Troy

167. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the spend by the Office of Government Procurement and as a percentage of the annual value of procurement on certified procurement and tendering training and education for both suppliers and buyers in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and the estimated cost of increasing the annual spend by proposal outlined (details supplied). [50032/19]

Flood Relief Schemes Status

Seán Sherlock

168. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the third environmental impact assessment for the Glanmire flood relief scheme. [50050/19]

National Children's Hospital Expenditure

Barry Cowen

169. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 314 of 26 November 2019, the estimated cost of the national children’s hospital in each of the years 2020 to 2022 that is additional to the amount allocated in the National Development Plan 2018-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50118/19]

Schools Site Acquisitions

Tony McLoughlin

170. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of a proposed beneficial land swap involving a school (details supplied) and his Department; when a decision will be made on the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50231/19]

State Properties Data

Barry Cowen

171. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of unoccupied State-owned properties; the cost associated with the maintenance and security of same; the number of properties rented by the State from private landlords; the cost of same by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50310/19]

Legislative Measures

Barry Cowen

172. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of Bills sponsored by his Department that have been enacted since November 2013, in tabular form. [50324/19]

Office of Government Procurement

Michael Fitzmaurice

173. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the date on which the Office of Government Procurement ceased taking supplementary requests for tenders from framework clients of the multi-supplier framework for the provision of external workplace investigations services 2015 in advance of the commencement of the replacement framework for such investigations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50329/19]

Office of Government Procurement

Michael Fitzmaurice

174. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the date the last supplementary requests for tenders in regard to the multi-supplier framework for the provision of external workplace investigations services 2015 were received by the Office of Government Procurement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50330/19]

Office of Government Procurement

Michael Fitzmaurice

175. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the date the last award was notified to the successful framework member under the multi-supplier framework for the provision of external workplace investigations services 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50331/19]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Martin Heydon

176. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the work of the community sector high level forum examining issues relating to community employment supervisors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50383/19]

Institutes of Technology Funding

Darragh O'Brien

177. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of plans to establish funding mechanisms for institutes of technology to support the development of their student accommodation capacity. [50061/19]

Teachers' Remuneration

Mary Lou McDonald

178. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that teachers remain unpaid for July provision carried out in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49689/19]

Summer Works Scheme Eligibility

Kevin O'Keeffe

179. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) was not successful in securing funding under the summer works scheme. [49700/19]

Summer Works Scheme Eligibility

Kevin O'Keeffe

180. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) did not receive funding under the summer works scheme. [49701/19]

School Admissions

James Browne

181. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding secondary school places in an area (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the concern among parents and children on lengthy waiting lists for a school place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49730/19]

School Admissions

James Browne

182. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding secondary school places in an area (details supplied); if the local authority will be contacted regarding the need for an additional secondary school in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49731/19]

School Curriculum

Catherine Murphy

183. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if reviews have been undertaken to assess the degree of difficulty some students face in cases in which there is an apparent disparity in the way in which languages are taught and tested on the curriculum at leaving certificate level (details supplied); his plans to reform this aspect of the curriculum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49733/19]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Jack Chambers

184. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of pupil-teacher ratios in DEIS band schools; the efforts under way to bring down ratios and ensure smaller class sizes in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49740/19]

School Admissions

Shane Cassells

185. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school places available in second level schools in Navan, Trim, Longwood, Oldcastle and Athboy, County Meath, by school, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49744/19]

School Admissions

Shane Cassells

186. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students seeking places in second level schools in Navan, Trim, Longwood, Oldcastle and Athboy, County Meath, by school, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49745/19]

Minor Works Scheme Applications

Niamh Smyth

187. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the minor works grant for a school (details supplied) for the 2019 school year; if the school will receive the grant in 2019; if so, when it is likely to be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49747/19]

Teachers' Remuneration

Fergus O'Dowd

188. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a reply will issue to queries raised in correspondence from a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49754/19]

Emergency Works Scheme

Gino Kenny

189. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the unacceptable and potentially dangerous conditions that students and staff are working under at a school (details supplied); his views on whether the leaking roof and the unsafe situation this presents needs urgent remedial work; if funding will be committed to same as a matter of priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49755/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Niall Collins

190. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school building project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49760/19]

School Admissions

John Lahart

191. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a child (details supplied) will be offered a place in national school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49801/19]

Schools Building Projects

Peadar Tóibín

192. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) will receive a new building. [49810/19]

Schools Refurbishment

John Lahart

193. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the nature of works being carried out on a school (details supplied); the timeline for completion of the works; if he is satisfied that the level of works being carried out at the school is safe while the school is open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49814/19]

Teachers' Remuneration

Denis Naughten

194. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) will receive payment; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49830/19]

School Accommodation Provision

Jack Chambers

195. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on capacity issues at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the steps being taken to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49848/19]

Schools Establishment

Michael McGrath

196. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the catchment area of the planned new primary school in Carrigaline, County Cork for 2020 excludes Crosshaven and its hinterland from the area; if he will review the issue with his officials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49853/19]

State Examinations

Shane Cassells

197. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Education and Skills the supports available to students with learning disabilities and autism when sitting the junior certificate examinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49855/19]

State Examinations

Shane Cassells

198. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are circumstances in which students sitting the junior certificate examinations can apply for an extra allocation of time to complete the paper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49856/19]

State Examinations

Shane Cassells

199. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Education and Skills the policy regarding students who are sick or suffered a bereavement on the day of a State examination; and if students with ongoing conditions can advise the State Examinations Commission in advance for the examination in case the symptom of the condition arises on the day of an examination. [49857/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

John McGuinness

200. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a building project application by a school (details supplied) [49861/19]

School Accommodation Provision

Jackie Cahill

201. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for an ASD unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49871/19]

Emergency Works Scheme Funding

Michael McGrath

202. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an application for funding by a primary school (details supplied) in County Cork will be supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49882/19]

School Staff

Jackie Cahill

203. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a decision on the status of a school (details supplied) will be postponed until the new policy on small schools is published following the small schools symposium which met in June 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49884/19]

School Accommodation Provision

Thomas Byrne

204. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a special classroom will open in a school (details supplied) for September 2020. [49889/19]

Summer Works Scheme Applications

Dara Calleary

205. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a summer works application by a school (details supplied) in County Mayo has been declined; the other appropriate funding stream that may be available for the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49892/19]

Departmental Reports

Shane Cassells

206. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of external consultant reports commissioned by his Department in each year from March 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the cost of each report; the company involved; and the title and publication date by report, in tabular form. [49902/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Brendan Howlin

207. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the school building project at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49936/19]

State Examinations

Brendan Ryan

208. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if alternative arrangements will be made by which there are no provisions for students due to sit examinations and due to unforeseen circumstances are hospitalised as an emergency and in many cases have no alternative to leave hospital to sit examinations in no fit conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49938/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Niamh Smyth

209. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress on a new development (details supplied); if the deadline is the same for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49939/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Niamh Smyth

210. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) is large enough to cope with existing pupil numbers and growing numbers at the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49940/19]

Education and Training Boards

Michael Harty

211. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost in capital or rental terms and the staffing costs to establish and maintain on a yearly basis the payroll shared services centre for the education and training boards in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15; if the facility will be operated through central funding only; if not, the alternative funding mechanism to be deployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49950/19]

School Admissions

James Browne

212. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 16 children in a town (details supplied) have not secured a place in either of the two secondary schools in the town for the 2020-2021 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49952/19]

Public Sector Staff Sick Leave

Fiona O'Loughlin

213. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the procedure for a teacher teaching senior cycle on sick leave for more than one month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50000/19]

School Admissions

Fiona O'Loughlin

214. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action being taken to address the shortage of places in second-level schools in south County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50001/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Fiona O'Loughlin

215. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action being taken to address the shortage of ASD places in second-level schools in south County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50002/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Fiona O'Loughlin

216. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action being taken to address the shortage of ASD places in second-level schools in Newbridge, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50003/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Fiona O'Loughlin

217. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action being taken to address the shortage of ASD places in second-level schools in Kildare town, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50004/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Fiona O'Loughlin

218. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action being taken to address the shortage of ASD places in second-level schools in Athy, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50005/19]

School Admissions

Fiona O'Loughlin

219. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action being taken to address the shortage of places in second-level schools in Newbridge, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50006/19]

School Patronage

Ruth Coppinger

220. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools each patron body is a patron of at primary school level. [50034/19]

School Patronage

Ruth Coppinger

221. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools each patron body is a patron of at secondary school level. [50035/19]

School Accommodation Provision

Catherine Martin

222. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to purchase outright or seek a licence for a vacant site near a school (details supplied) to enable the school to provide for a fourth stream of junior infants to be taken in September 2020; his further plans to allow for the construction of ASD units or to provide for a temporary site for the school while the major works necessary for the removal of pyrite from the foundations are carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50064/19]

National Educational Psychological Service Data

Catherine Martin

223. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of pupils with regard to the 8,309 referrals for individual casework undertaken by National Educational Psychological Service Data, NEPS, psychologists during the 2016/2017 academic year that underwent direct assessment as part of the involvement of the psychologist. [50066/19]

Schools Site Acquisitions

Catherine Martin

224. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of plans for a permanent home for a school (details supplied); if a site for the school has been identified; and if so, the location of same. [50067/19]

Special Educational Needs Data

Catherine Martin

225. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications for SNA access made nationwide to the NCSE during the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 school years, respectively by county in tabular form. [50076/19]

Special Educational Needs Data

Catherine Martin

226. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications for SNA access made since the May 2019 allocation of SNA posts by county in a tabular form. [50077/19]

Special Educational Needs Staff Data

Catherine Martin

227. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated number of extra special needs assistants that would be needed in order to ensure there is a SNA for each class at primary and post-primary level; the estimated cost of such an increase in provision for primary and post-primary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50081/19]

School Transport Provision

Darragh O'Brien

228. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of school transport to pupils living in the Ballyboughal, County Dublin, area who will be attending a school (details supplied) which will open on the Rathbeale Road in September 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50120/19]

Schools Building Projects

Darragh O'Brien

229. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he is taking to resolve the shortage of secondary school places in Skerries, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50134/19]

Schools Building Projects

Darragh O'Brien

230. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he is taking to resolve the shortage of primary school places in Skerries, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50135/19]

Summer Works Scheme Applications

Brendan Smith

231. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a summer works scheme application by a school (details supplied) will be reviewed and approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50146/19]

Summer Works Scheme Administration

Brendan Smith

232. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if schools whose applications for grant aid under the summer works scheme external environment measure were not successful can appeal the decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50163/19]

School Transport Provision

Catherine Murphy

233. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 128 of 26 November 2013, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there was a surplus and or profit being used for day-to-day operations of the Bus Éireann business according to a special report on school transport by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50205/19]

Departmental Staff Remuneration

James Browne

234. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the postal delivery of payslips for employees of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50218/19]

Summer Works Scheme Applications

Niamh Smyth

235. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) was refused funding under the summer works scheme; if the appeal will be accepted in view of the extenuating circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50221/19]

Direct Provision Data

Thomas Byrne

236. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if children who are in direct provision and emergency accommodation have access to the home tuition grant; if this could be used to provide education to children who cannot access school or education in the normal manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50224/19]

Direct Provision Data

Thomas Byrne

237. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the mechanism by which children in direct provision that are also in emergency accommodation who cannot access school in the normal manner are identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50225/19]

Direct Provision Data

Thomas Byrne

238. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children between 6 and 16 years of age in direct provision that are not in school or being provided an education; the number between 5 and 18 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50226/19]

Departmental Funding

Peter Burke

239. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount allocated to a town (details supplied) in each of the years 2011 to 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50240/19]

Inquiry into Child Abuse

Micheál Martin

240. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if officials in his Department discussed the recent findings regarding statistics in the Ryan report. [50125/19]

Special Educational Needs Staff Remuneration

Stephen Donnelly

241. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if special needs assistants are only required to work bell to bell in view of the fact they are paid on a 32-hour contract. [50259/19]

School Services Staff

Aindrias Moynihan

242. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a resolution to the school secretaries situation has been reached following the WRC discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50261/19]

School Transport Provision

Bernard Durkan

243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if school transport to a school (details supplied) can be extended to Clogherinkoe, Broadford, County Kildare, to accommodate children living in the area who are hoping to attend the school in 2020/2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50264/19]

Summer Works Scheme Administration

Brendan Smith

244. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if schools whose applications were unsuccessful under the recent summer works scheme can appeal the decision in respect of necessary improvement works to be carried out under measure 10; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50275/19]

Legislative Measures

Barry Cowen

245. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of Bills sponsored by his Department that have been enacted since November 2013, in tabular form. [50317/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Martin Heydon

246. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address the shortage of ASD places in second-level schools (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50335/19]

Emergency Works Scheme Applications

John Brassil

247. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter regarding a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50384/19]

School Enrolments

Éamon Ó Cuív

248. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a large number of schools in County Galway appear to have long waiting lists of pupils who are due to go to second-level schools in 2020; if contingency plans are being drawn up to ensure each pupil will receive places in second-level schools September 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50394/19]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Darragh O'Brien

249. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the operational sub-group under the auspices of the Irish refugee protection programme ask force composed of representatives from relevant Departments, local authorities and other bodies to support and coordinate the process of housing refugees. [50058/19]

Immigration Status

Paul Murphy

250. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the two-year delay for a review by the INIS of the EU treaty rights of a person (details supplied) who has applied for citizenship. [49690/19]

Garda Promotions

John McGuinness

251. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 297 of 16 October 2018, the number of candidate complaints that were upheld and partially upheld, respectively, in relation to Garda to sergeant competitions in view of the fact that no reviews overturned the promotion and progression decision in the past two competitions (details supplied); if the candidates were afforded another interview; and if not, if this is in breach of the Public Service Appointments Code of Practice and other legislation. [49746/19]

Criminal Law Review

Bríd Smith

252. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a review of the impact of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 will be held and completed; if it will examine specifically the impact of the changes in law on sex workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49764/19]

Criminal Prosecutions Data

Bríd Smith

253. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of criminal prosecutions of women and sex workers under the provisions of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017; the number that relate to migrant and non-resident women and sex workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49765/19]

Crime Data

Bríd Smith

254. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if An Garda Síochána keep a specific record of attacks and violence against sex workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49766/19]

Garda Operations

Bríd Smith

255. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if specific training for gardaí has been provided in the way in which to deal with migrant, non-resident and vulnerable sex workers and women who may face prosecution since the passing of the Criminal Law (Sexual offences ) Act 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49767/19]

Garda Operations

Bríd Smith

256. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration has been given by his Department or An Garda Síochána to provide supports and or a dedicated liaison officer for sex workers to report on violence against them without fear of subsequently being prosecuted under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49768/19]

Immigration Status

Bernard Durkan

257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which his Department can favourably consider offering a stamp 4 visa to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49775/19]

Community Policing

Thomas P. Broughan

258. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community police in each of the districts in the Dublin metropolitan region division as of 25 November 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49776/19]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Jim O'Callaghan

259. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the community sponsorship initiative that resettles refugees; the steps he has taken to promote and to draw the attention of communities aware to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49784/19]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Jim O'Callaghan

260. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community groups that have accessed the community sponsorship initiative; the supports in place for communities availing of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49785/19]

Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service Administration

Joan Collins

261. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when INIS will address the backlog of cases that have been put on hold awaiting the outcome of a decision (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49787/19]

Bail Law

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

262. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce legislation on bail reform; if so, the organisations he has or will consult with in advance of proposed changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49791/19]

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Noel Rock

263. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the plans to ratify the protocols as outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49798/19]

Bail Law

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

264. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is considering introducing legalisation which would allow judges to impose restrictions on bail conditions, such as curfews, exclusion or restricted zones and or ankle bracelets and so on, for those charged with murder or manslaughter and who have a previous conviction involving violence; if so, the groups he has consulted with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49803/19]

Citizenship Applications

Bríd Smith

265. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position in relation to residency requirements for acquiring Irish citizenship, specifically for long-term residents with UK passports who wish to become Irish citizens; if an appeal mechanism is available when applications are refused due to time spent outside of the State in a given period; if an appeal of a decision can be made to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49820/19]

Domestic Violence

Mary Lou McDonald

266. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the development of a domestic violence risk assessment matrix by An Garda Síochána will be completed and operational across all divisions. [49824/19]